Depakote ER for Migraine Prevention User Reviews

• Tob...
• October 15, 2013

"I've also been trying different preventive medication for migraines with my doctor and so far Depakote is working the best. I started with 250mg a day for the first week, now at 500 mg a day. Before this medication, I would wake up daily with chronic head pain in the neck or behind the eyes. Now I wake up almost every morning with a clear head. I haven't seen any side effects yet at this dosage and I've even lost weight since I've been proactive with daily exercise. I started walking 2 miles daily since taking this medication. With proactive exercise and eating habits, I think anyone can keep potential side effects at bay. Previously, I was on Topamax and had to stop taking it as the nausea/head fuzz was too severe for my line of work."

• Cow...
• June 22, 2014

"I have only been taking Depakote ER 500 mg for 10 days now, or maybe I should say nights. I take it at bedtime and was supposed to start taking it twice a day after a week, but the upset stomach, the shakes (or extra nervousness), no sign of relief of my migraines, and I haven't been able to sleep at night either. I'm going to tell my Dr. that I just can't take it anymore."

• Anonymous
• April 11, 2012

"I had used this medication for more than 15 years before it stopped preventing my chronic migraine headaches. I was taking it up to 2000 mg per night daily and didn't have any side effects of it since the very beginning of taking it (in a lower dose, of course) and even when I took the max dose as described. I had a very easy adjusting to it, also, and no unpleasantness whatsoever."

• SFL...
• September 8, 2009

"I have been taking Depakote ER for approximately 4 weeks now, with good results. Prior to this medication, I was experiencing frequent dull pressure-type headaches, some lasting several days, and occasional short-duration sharp migraines. Since using Depakote ER, I have had no migraines and only a couple of very mild and short-duration pressure headaches. I realize it's only been a short amount of time on this medication, but the relief has been quite noticeable for me. I have also not experienced any sudden weight gain side effects, however, just prior to starting this medication, I commenced a healthy eating regimen, which has actually caused me to lose several pounds, and which may be contributing to my weight situation."

• Cha...
• May 21, 2013

"Medication was very effective at controlling silent migraines, but long-term use (more than 10 years) has resulted in a 60-pound weight gain, hair loss, and shakiness. Recently, I have felt very fatigued and confused."

• sea...
• February 6, 2012

"My 12-year-old son has been having migraines for 2 years now. At first, it was only once every few months. However, it progressed to once or twice a week - with vision aura and speech disturbance. I took him to a pediatric neurologist, and he said it was likely from puberty. He prescribed 500 mg of Depakote ER. It seemed to start working right away. It has been almost 2 months now, and he has only had one migraine in almost 2 months. Far better than before. He hasn't had any of the noticeable side effects - hair loss, weight gain. He takes it before bedtime. It is hard to get him up in the morning, but I don't know if that is from the medicine or from going to bed too late!"

• Pam...
• February 5, 2014

"After being on Depakote ER for 8 months, it was really effective in reducing the migraines. As side effects, I never gained one single pound, but the hair loss was just unbearable. I lost half of all my hair. I had to stop taking it, unfortunately. I have always had headaches since I was a child. Before Depakote, I stayed one month having headaches every single day, had to stay in bed, couldn't even walk, and I felt like I reached the lowest point in my life, I wouldn't be able to live with the pain anymore. I had no life. After 2 weeks on Depakote ER 500 mg, I started getting better. I was having only 8/10 per month. Now I'm on topiramate for 2 weeks, the hair is still falling a lot and the migraines are back almost every day."

• Anonymous
• February 29, 2012

"I, along with most people here, have had an excellent result with Depakote ER, however, the biggest side effect for me is the weight gain (10 lbs in a month!). May I add, I eat healthy and work out... it just keeps coming. I've been on Topamax for 17 months with no relief. I hope there's something else I can try that's comparable to Depakote ER. I really don't want to be obese from medicine."

• gre...
• July 14, 2008

"I have been on Depakote ER 1000 mg for 2 months, and it has almost solved my migraine problem. I still get a few slight nagging headaches, which are easy to treat with ibuprofen. The side effects of stomach upset and fatigue seem to be improving. I think I notice some weight gain, maybe too early to tell. So far, so good. I'm happy with this medication. My migraines were threatening my ability to earn a living, and many days were spent in bed. Things are looking up."

• Anonymous
• July 1, 2010

"For two months now, Depakote ER has cured my migraines, which were occurring approximately two to three times a week, lasting between one to three days each. I had some of the blurred vision and trembling side effects, but the worst has been the weight gain, 10 pounds in two months, when I normally never, ever gain weight. I suppose, given the choice, I'll choose the weight gain. Wish I didn't have to choose."

• Anonymous
• August 9, 2011

"I've been on Depakote for 2 weeks now. Not one single migraine. I was having them 2-3 times a week, and less severe tension headaches daily. I haven't even had the tension headaches twice now. I have not gained any weight as of yet either."

• ste...
• June 10, 2008

"Responded well to this medicine, after failing everything, including Topamax. I had severe motion component with migraine. Could not stand, roll over, or lean over without increased pain/pressure. Depakote finally worked after trying many medicines for 2 1/2 months. Just don't like the weight gain."

• Mag...
• March 7, 2008

"After trying Topamax for months with no relief, I have been on Depakote ER for three months with GREAT relief! I was having migraine headaches 17 out of 31 days a month, now, maybe one a month (taking Axert when I have pain). The only problem I have had is I have gained 10 pounds in less than three months. This is horrible for me, as I could have afforded to have lost 10 pounds when starting Depakote! My Dr. is going to have me try to mix in 25 mg of Topamax to suppress the appetite."

• pin...
• May 11, 2010

"I have been taking this medication for 3 weeks now. I have not had a headache since I started it. I was getting a migraine 3 times a week previously. Topamax did not help me. I am hoping for no serious side effects! This has improved my quality of life tremendously."

• Hap...
• December 10, 2015

"I was on Topimax 1000 mg a day for approximately 10 years. Yes, I experienced the side effects of tingling in my fingers and toes sporadically. Had a migraine maybe 1 time a year (prior I had 2 migraines a week). Finally, the Topimax became ineffective (body probably was immune) and switched to Depakote 250 mg a day (125 mg in the morning and 125 mg at bedtime). No headache! I did gain 15-20 pounds in the first 3 months - I was well aware of the possible weight gain. Weight gain is well worth it - when the alternative is migraines. Have to weigh pros and cons. Also, I take OTC 5-HTP to combat the fuzziness and such. Can't complain...."

• Joa...
• September 7, 2011

"I have been on Depakote ER for three weeks. I've had 4 migraines during this time, which is less than before the Depakote ER. My GP had me on three different medicines for prevention, but the neurologist switched me to Depakote ER. I've had a little weight gain. The problem is I'm on Weight Watchers and should be losing weight. There have been times when my hands have felt shaky (similar to too much caffeine intake). I think it's also affecting my vision. I'm going to call the doctor and ask to switch to something else. Basically, it's helped reduce my migraine frequency but not enough to live with the side effects."

• Anonymous
• February 3, 2009

"I have been on Depakote ER 1000 mg/day for over 7 years now, and my once 4 migraines/month have pretty much subsided to less than 4/year. That's a great improvement for me, as I've had them for over 45 years. Nothing worked before, just many pain medicines tried or shots to put me out for a couple of days, and the aftereffects weren't so fun. I would recommend this to anyone with migraines. Ask your doctor."

• d27...
• June 18, 2015

"I been taking 1,000 mg a day. I split up 500 in the morning and 500 at night for 3 months. I gained 35 pounds in the first month. It's a great mood stabilizer, but it only works part of the time. I have the shakes, acne, vision problems from it. I took Topamax before, it was great, but I got kidney stones from it. I need to get another med that actually works!"

• She...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 26, 2018

"I've been on Depakote ER once at bedtime for only 6 weeks, and it has cut my migraines in half. Still get my normal headaches as well. Would like to give it more time to see how it works. So far, no side effects at all."

• MJR...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 28, 2021

"This has been the most helpful migraine preventative - my migraines were becoming a full-time disability, and for the first time in a long time, I’m hopeful - my doctor added 20-30 mg of Vyvanse (stimulant - a very low dose) to suppress appetite and lethargy, and it is amazing - no appetite, no weight gain, and I’m energetically working full-time. Fingers crossed it keeps working. Try the stimulant to prevent the weight gain!"

• cri...
• January 14, 2012

"This has worked better than anything else I've tried. I have gained weight, though, and I still get the flashes of light and dark spots."

• Anonymous
• November 4, 2009

"Fewer side effects than Depakote but nearly no benefit for migraines."